Temporary Works

Over the years, there have been several collapses of temporary works, causing loss of life and serious injury.

As a result, the UK government set up an advisory committee on falsework (the Bragg Committee). This committee issued its final report in 1976. The recommendations of the Bragg Committee were embodied in BS 5975: Code of Practice for Falsework. The Code of Practice had further amendments in 2011 and 2019. As a result of these changes, it is now BS5975:2019 Code of Practice for Temporary Works procedures and the permissible stress design of falsework.

The principal changes in the 2019 Code of Practice are:

• Alignment with CDM:2015
• More detailed designer duties and procedures
• Identifying the organisations that require designated individuals and procedures
• Enhanced explanation of roles/duties, appointments, training and competency
• More options for organisations to appoint temporary works co-ordinators as well as the principal contractor
• A new section that covers the control of risk
• More detail around organisational arrangements and the range of organisation types
• New procedures for clients, permanent works designers and temporary works designer

This section of the manual aims to update those involved on recommended safety procedures. What’s more, it also covers good practice, to reduce the risk of failures.  The complete guidance can be found in both the CIP Health and Safety Manual and online at CIP Knowledge.

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